A Love for Meilin
Chapter 3: A Meeting
Meilin stopped running as she approached Penguin Park. She found a small bench and sank dejectedly onto it. Why am I crying like this? I knew he never really loved me, and it's not like I hate Sakura. She's perfect for him. The tears that had somewhat abated during her run away from the apartment suddenly started up again in full force. But I do love him, and I'm the one engaged to him even if we didn't decide on it ourselves. This is horrible. Why can't he love me? I'm sure Sakura could find someone else…everyone likes her. But me…I don't have anyone else.
She looked up and surveyed the park. Even though it was almost noon, there was no one else there. I'm glad…this way no one will see me cry. I guess I'll always be alone. Maybe it's just better that way for me. I should go back to Hong Kong…get away from him. I need to forget…
She closed her eyes as images of the past began passing through her mind. She would never forget how he had searched all day in the rain for her lost bird or all the times they trained together or all the times he was there to protect her. Syaoran…
She sighed, her tears finally coming to a stop once more. Sakura is so lucky. She's the one that was able to use magic. I know that is how she first gained Syaoran's respect. And he helped her catch the cards and turn them into Star cards once she had become the mistress. I wish he would love me like he loves her. And now he'll be there with her all the time, and he'll forget about me. We won't be able to be with each other like we were before. She's so lucky. And she deserves him…I know she does. She's the one that can make him truly happy.
Meilin groaned inwardly. But I still love him.
Just then, Syaoran, who had waited only a short while before he went after her, arrived by the park and immediately spotted her sitting alone on a bench. I picked the right place to look.
He walked slowly over to her and sat down beside her. She looked up shocked, but then quickly turned away. He sighed.
"I'm sorry Meilin."
She looked back at him, her eyes wide. "Why are you sorry?"
He hesitated. "Because…I…I guess I just kind of forgot about your feelings." He looked at her. "I know that you like our engagement even though our parents decided on it. And so I know that you…have feelings for me."
Meilin blushed and looked away.
"I shouldn't have told you about my feelings for Sakura so bluntly…but…everything I said was true." Tears began once more to drop down her face.
Syaoran grabbed onto her hand. She tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let go.
"Meilin, I love you as a friend and cousin. I care about you a lot, but I can't…I can't feel for you anymore than that. I want you to be happy. I really do. I wish you could find someone that could love you like you want me to. You would be much happier with him if you knew he cared for you just like you cared for him. It would be much better that way, and with me…I don't think we could have been so happy after a while."
"But there isn't anyone else…" Meilin muttered.
Syaoran looked at her kindly. "Yes, I'm sure there is. Meilin, you are wonderful. I know because I've known you for so long. Any man would be lucky to have you."
"Except you."
Syaoran sighed. That was the wrong thing to say. "Meilin…I love Sakura…and I can't stop that feeling for her. I don't really want to. You need someone who will love just you. I could never make you happy, knowing how I feel about Sakura."
Meilin sighed. "I know." Syaoran looked at her. "For a long time, I've thought you liked Sakura. I was so jealous, but since you never admitted to it, I still had some hope that maybe one day you could love me. But now…I can't deny that you love her, and I know she loves you too. And I want you both to be happy. But…" She leaned over and wrapped her arms around Syaoran, placing her head against his chest. He hugged her back. "I just really wish I knew there was someone out there for me…who will love me like you love Sakura."
"I will help you in any way I can. I could never be truly happy knowing that you still hadn't found the one for you," Syaoran told her.
"Sakura is really lucky," Meilin said. Syaoran smiled gently. "I'm lucky. And so will the man be who finds you."
"Let's go," Meilin said standing up. She grabbed his hand and they slowly walked out of the park.
***
Wei looked up surprised as the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Yes?" he said opening the door. His eyes widened as he saw Sakura. "Sakura-san!"
"Hi Wei. I didn't know you were here. Is Syaoran-kun home?" she asked.
Wei hesitated. I wonder if he's found Meilin yet. "No, I'm sorry. He's out right now."
"Do you know when he'll be back?" she asked.
"No, I don't. He went out looking for Meilin."
Sakura's eyes widened. "Meilin is here too?"
"Yes, we arrived here yesterday."
Sakura smiled. "I can't wait to see her! It's been so long since she visited."
Wei sighed. "Would you like to come in and wait for him?"
Sakura turned to Masato. "Do you want to wait?" He smiled. "Sure." With that, Wei led them into the apartment.
"By the way, this is Masato-san," Sakura said. "He was one of the other survivors of the crash."
Wei looked at him surprised. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Wei. I help Li-sama here."
"It's nice to meet you too," Masato said.
Wei motioned for them to sit. "Is that injury from the crash?" he asked gently, noticing the crutches.
"Yeah."
"Well, I am glad you are okay. I'll go get both of you something to drink while you wait."
"He's nice," Masato commented. Sakura nodded, smiling at him.
"So who is this Meilin person he mentioned?" he asked.
"She's Syaoran-kun's cousin from Hong Kong," Sakura explained. "She came to school here a long time ago, but then had to leave to help take care of a family member back home. She visits every once in a while though. She's really great."
As Wei returned with drinks, the door to the apartment suddenly swung open, and Syaoran and Meilin came in. They stopped in shock as they saw Sakura and Masato sitting there.
Meilin stared in surprise at Sakura, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to reappear. Why did she have to come now?
"So, are you surprised to see me?" Masato asked.
"What are you doing here?" Syaoran asked still surprised at the unexpected visit.
Masato grinned. "Well, it's nice to see you too. And I came to check up on you and the pretty little cherry blossom."
Syaoran threw him a friendly glare. This guy…
Meilin turned to him confused. Masato noticed her look and having already gotten back up onto his crutches went over and stood before her. "My name is Tetsudau Masato," he said. "It's a pleasure to meet you." He took her hand gently and kissed it.
"Uh…hi." Meilin said slowly, pulling her hand away. Masato smiled at her.
"He was one of the other people that survived," Syaoran explained.
"Yup, Li-kun and his little cherry blossom over there helped save my life," Masato said.
Syaoran and Sakura both blushed. Meilin sighed and looked away. Masato looked at her worriedly, surprised at the sad expression in her eyes he saw before she turned the other way. He looked back at Syaoran who was also looking with worry at Meilin.
"So, you're Meilin-san?" he asked. She looked back at him. "Sakura-chan was telling me about you just before you came in."
Meilin glanced at Sakura. "Yes, I'm Meilin."
Masato laughed at the worried look on Meilin's face. "Oh don't worry. She didn't say anything bad. She even said you were great. So…are you great?"
Meilin stared at him, her eyes wide. "What!?"
He grinned. "You seem great so far." Meilin blushed, quickly turning away as she felt the heat rising in her face. I can't believe this guy…making me blush like this…I never blush like this…especially now… She quickly tried to gain her normal color back and then turned back to him and smiled. "Of course I'm great."
"Well then, we should get along just fine," Masato stated. "Because, you see, I'm great too."
"We'll see," Meilin said.
Syaoran and Sakura, meanwhile, just stood by and watched the scene before them. They sweatdropped.
***
End of Chapter 3
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